Lando Norris has announced that he will race with the number 1 on his McLaren car as he begins defending his Formula 1 title in 2026. The 26-year-old British driver secured his first world championship at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, finishing third in an intense final race. Norris won the championship by a narrow margin of two points over Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who claimed his eighth victory of the season at Yas Marina.
Following his victory, Norris had the choice to keep his usual number 4, which he has used since his F1 debut in 2019, or switch to the number 1. He decided to embrace the number 1, taking it from Verstappen for the upcoming season. Norris emphasized the significance of the number, saying it represents the hard work and pride shared by everyone involved with the McLaren team, including mechanics and engineers.
Verstappen, who had been racing with the number 1 since 2022, now plans to change his own car number, possibly adopting the number 3, previously used by his former teammate Daniel Ricciardo. Since 2014, when F1 introduced individual driver numbers, Lewis Hamilton has been the only world champion to avoid using the number 1, preferring to keep his number 44 instead. Hamilton once explained his choice, noting his respect for team traditions and how the number 1 had been associated with other drivers and teams during his career.
Fan Take: This decision by Norris to take on the number 1 signals an exciting new chapter for McLaren and adds to the drama of the championship battle. For racing fans, it underscores the storied tradition behind the number 1 and highlights the intense rivalries that keep the sport thrilling and unpredictable.
